North of Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit and Kampung Baru are areas to the north of Kuala Lumpur's City Centre. They contain popular traditional shopping options as well as cheap authentic food and budget accommodation. The main artery of Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and Chow Kit is none other than Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, or Jalan TAR, whilst Kampung Baru lies to the east.

Understand

Traditional houses in Kampong Baru

Besides Jalan TAR, the district also is home to the colourful shopping street of Jalan Masjid India, which is chock-a-block with shops specialising in saris and other Indian apparel. Indeed, the area is sometimes called Little India, although several other parts of KL (notably Brickfields) compete for that title and these days there are at least as many Indonesians around.

The northern part of the district is called Chow Kit, known for bargain shopping and food. The famous Chow Kit Wet Market has never stopped being the favourite wet market of all. You'll also be able to see things which you'll never be able to find elsewhere in KL, like the full array of Malay traditional medicine. Located just off the Chow Kit Monorail stop, the Jalan Haji Hussein street market at night is similar to Chinatown's Petaling Street, offering fake goods and delicious local food.

The Tuanku Abdul Rahman end of Jalan Sultan Ismail has become KL's new hot nightspot. Nicknamed Heritage Row, restaurants and clubs are now breathing new life into the old dilapidated terrace houses of Jalan Doraisamy and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, just off Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Last but not least, Kampung Baru, the misnamed "New Village", is an old-style Malay kampung that has oddly resisted high-rise development despite being smack dab in the middle of the city.

Get in

Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit and Kampung Baru are easily accessible by public transport, so you will find travelling into this district quite easy.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman is accessible by several rail stations. To reach the southern end of Jalan TAR,  AG7   SP7   KJ13  Masjid Jamek LRT station (Kelana Jaya or Ampang/Sri Petaling lines) is best suited if one is visiting Masjid Jamek, Dataran Merdeka or Jalan Masjid India. To directly access the middle portion of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (where most of the shops are located), it is best to alight at the  AG6   SP6  Bandaraya LRT station. Alternately, visitors coming from Klang, Shah Alam, Batu Caves or even Ipoh and Seremban can opt for the  KA03  Bank Negara Komuter station, which is linked to the Bandaraya LRT station by a pedestrian bridge crossing Jalan Kuching and the Gombak River.

Bandaraya LRT Station platform view

 MR9  Medan Tuanku Monorail Station,  AG5   SP5  Sultan Ismail and the  AG4   SP4  PWTC LRT stations on the Ampang/Sri Petaling line are best for the northern sector of TAR as well as the far southern part of Chow Kit.

The central Chow Kit area is best accessed by the  MR10  Chow Kit KL Monorail station. Another option is the Ampang/Sri Petaling LRT line stopping at  AG4   SP4  PWTC station, a 5- to 10-minute walk to the centre of Chow Kit. For Kampung Baru the best option is to take the Kelana Jaya LRT to none other than  KJ11  Kampung Baru station, walk from Chow Kit Monorail station or use the 1 Saloma Link Bridge. (updated Feb 2020).

Since March 2023 the newly-opened MRT Putrajaya Line also cuts across this part of the city. The  SSP18  Hospital Kuala Lumpur MRT station is adjacent to the Istana Budaya, the National Art Gallery and the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.  SSP19  Raja Uda MRT station, the second metro station within the Kampung Baru district, is within walking distance to the National Library. This line terminates at Putrajaya and hence provides a more affordable transit option to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

See

The northern part of Kuala Lumpur is home to some of the city's main cultural establishments. The area just north of Jalan Tun Razak has been designated by the government as KL's performing arts zone.

• 1 Istana Budaya (National Theatre), Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak (Walk from Exit B of Hospital Kuala Lumpur metro station), ☏ +60 340 265 555, +60 3 4026 5558 (Box Office). Istana Budaya (meaning Palace of Culture) is home to the National Theatre and is equipped with cutting edge stage, sound and lighting equipment on par with the top theatres around the world. It host productions of both domestic and international origins. The building itself is a beautiful and a tourist attraction. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Balai Seni Visual Negara (National Visual Arts Gallery), 2 Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak (Just east of the National Theater), ☏ +60 340 267 000. 10AM - 6PM daily except some holidays (9AM - 5PM during Ramadan).. Exhibition of all kinds of art. Free. (updated Jun 2017)

View to KLCC from Titiwangsa Lake Gardens

• 3 Titiwangsa Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Titiwangsa). Beautiful park with nice views to the city centre. (updated Jun 2017)
• 4 Art Deco architecture (Exit via Bandaraya LRT station). 24 hours. This stretch of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, starting from Sogo and Odeon Cinema in the north, and ending at Euro Moda in the south, contains a very large collection of Kuala Lumpur's art deco colonial buildings. Check out for the pink Euro Moda building, the pink-and-yellow Aidijuma store, the green Gulati's store and the Odeon Cinema. Sadly there were reports that Odeon Cinema will be demolished for redevelopment a few years from now; however as a compromise the art-deco facade of the cinema is to be retained.; Note that there are a few more two-storey Art Deco shoplots located just across the road from Maju Junction, and adjacent to Kudu Nasi Kandar. (updated Dec 2019)

Do

• 1 Stroll around Kampung Baru (Take MRT Putrajaya to Raja Uda stop, LRT Kelana Jaya to Kampung Baru stop, or walk from KLCC via Saloma Link Bridge). One of the most fascinating neighbourhoods of the whole city. The contrast between the charm of this unspoilt Malay quarter and the city skyscrapers only a stones throw away is what makes this place so special. The city administration has begun vacating some parts the district for more highrisers, but negotiations with the remaining kampong dwellers are still ongoing. Go there as long as the place is around! (updated Jun 2017)

Buy

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is lined with established department stores, malls and shopping centres. Haggling is ok in most locations but for the best deals, head down the to the street stalls and markets.

Markets

• 1 Bazaar Baru Chow Kit (Chow Kit Wet Market), 469-473 Jl Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Chow Kit Monorail Station). 9:00-17:00. Boasting the title as the largest wet market in Kuala Lumpur this market gives a glimpse of how ordinary Malaysians do their daily shopping. In addition to fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood you will also find stalls selling silks, fabrics, shoes and other nicknacks without the tourist price inflation. Food stalls are scattered throughout the markets too.  

Jalan Bunus 6, next to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, site of the annual Ramadan bazaar. The building in the middle of the picture is Plaza City One.

• 2 Masjid India Bazaar (Jalan Melayu Bazaar), Jalan Melayu (Masjid Jamek metro station rear entrance). Daily, closes around 8:30PM. A covered bazaar stretching out from LRT Masjid Jamek, along Jalan Melayu towards Masjid India, quite similar in feel to the more famous Jalan Petaling (with a similar plastic overhang) but not as large or crowded -- not necessarily a bad thing. 
• 3 Pasar Malam (Night Market), Along Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Sa 5-10PM. A long night market spanning the entire length of the 'lorong'. This weekly night market is an experience whether you are looking for a bargain, local products, or just an authentic Malaysian market experience. Food stalls are scattered throughout the market and is a great experience outside the typical tourist scene. During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan it operates daily and expands to the adjacent streets with more stalls. (updated Feb 2024)

Stores and malls

• 4 Campbell Complex. Great shopping centre to buy textiles. Site of the infamous Campbell Complex fire in 1976, regarded as Malaysia's own "Towering Inferno". 
• 5 Plaza City One. 10AM-9PM. Textile and fashion stores congregate here. At the second floor above ground level there is a food court (see 'Eat' section below). 
• 6 Semua House (next to Plaza City One). Closes at 8PM. Fashion, cosmetics, perfume, and jewellery. There is a Burger King store at the ground-level entrance. Food court located one floor below ground. 
• 7 GS Gills, 9th Floor, Wisma Harwant, 106 Jalan Tuanku Adbul Rahman, ☏ +60 3 2698-3477. The top sporting goods distributes in Mayalsia, carrying all sorts of sporting equipment and attire. 
• 8 Pertama Complex (Jalan TAR), 1222 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Opened in 1976 as Kuala Lumpur's third shopping mall, and still good for cheap shoes, leather ware and other knick-knacks. 
• 9 Sogo Shopping Complex, 190 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ☏ +60 3 2698-2111. Daily 10AM-9:30PM. Probably the biggest department store you will ever see, with 10 floors of shopping, dining and entertainment. If you budget permits, you can shop here for everything from clothing to high-tech toys. 
• 10 Sunway Putra Mall (The Mall (1987 - 2011)), No. 100, Jalan Putra (parallel to Jalan TAR, opp Putra WTC), ☏ +603-2786 9300, +603-2786 9333. Daily 10AM-10PM. Opened in 1987 and reopened in 2015 after a two-year refurbishment project, this mall is connected to the PWTC metro station and Putra Komuter station by a linkbridge, as well as the Putra World Trade Centre, featuring a convention centre and home to Malaysia's on-and-off-and-on again ruling political party. There is a Cold Storage supermarket on the basement floor, as well as a Burger King. Do check out the fourth floor for its Malacca-themed Selera Street.  
• 11 Wisma Shen (Haniffa Department Store) (StarPoints Hotel), 149 Jalan Masjid India, ☏ +603-26938620. M-F 10:20AM-9PM, Sa Su 10:20AM-9:15PM. StarPoints Hotel occupies the upper floors of the building. On the ground level there is a Haniffa Department Store. Do check out Haniffa for its large collection of chocolates. 
• 12 Quill City Mall, 1018, Jalan Sultan Ismail, ☏ +60 3 2603 1018. Daily 10AM-10PM. A shopping mall in downtown KL, it is about 3 to 5 minutes' walk from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman itself. Features seven retail levels, eateries, a cinema and a NSK supermarket. Connected to Medan Tuanku Monorail station by a bridge. (updated Feb 2024)
• 13 Lulu Hypermarket, Lot 159 Persiaran CapSquare Off Jalan Munshi Abdullah, ☏ +603-26160000. Daily 9AM-11PM. Arab-owned LuLu Hypermarket opened its first store in Malaysia here. Hypermarket and fresh produce on the ground level. Ethnic fashion and pharmacy on the first floor, electronics, stationery, furnishing and sporting goods on the second floor. There is a food court on the fourth floor, not accessible from within LuLu Hypermarket, but on an escalator outside the hypermarket's compound. (updated Jul 2016)
• 14 Busana Menara Mara (Mara Digital), Menara MARA, Lot C, 232, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ☏ +603-22028061. State-owned commercial centre featuring Malay textile, fashion, arts and crafts stores. Level 3 is home to MARA Digital, dedicated to computers and IT equipment. Located just next to Pertama Complex, walking distance from Sogo and Bandaraya metro station. (updated May 2019)
• 15 Maju Junction. This vacant shopping mall is a pit stop for pedestrians walking from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Quill City Mall and the Sultan Ismail metro station. (updated Dec 2019)
• 16 Mydin Wholesale Emporium, 94, Jalan Masjid India, ☏ +603-2693 7815. M-Th 9:30AM-8PM, F-Su 9:30AM-10PM. Mydin supermarket chain has an outlet tucked away in this corner of Masjid India/Masjid Jamek district. It is reportedly Mydin's first store in Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley. It is along the same street with Haniffa. (updated Dec 2019)

Eat

Places to eat are scattered throughout the district, with stalls concentrated along Jalan Doraisamy near the Heritage Row and Jalan Raja Abdullah in Kampung Baru (for Malay food). Kampung Baru is a Malay food haven at affordable prices. Non-touristy & in traditional kampung setting. Over 100 stalls available. Most are open 24 hours. Chinese coffeeshops can be found along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and lanes off it, and Chow Kit; Indian in the Jalan Masjid India area; and upmarket restaurants on Heritage Row.

Sogo shopping complex contains a food court on Level 6.

Budget

• La Cuisine. 24 hr. A food court offering a variety of local & western foods. 
• 1 Capital Cafe, 213, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, City Centre. Opposite Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman from the Sogo mall. Known to be one of the oldest cafes along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Founded in the 1940s, popular until now. 
• 2 RA Nasi Lemak, 15, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kampung Baru. M-F 6:30AM-3PM, Sa Su 6:30AM-noon. Serving up the Malaysian breakfast favourite, Nasi Lemak, and a range of drinks including Teh Tarik. A plate of rice is given to you then you add whatever you like on a self-serve basis. Located just at the western exit of Dang Wangi metro station. 
• 3 Yut Kee Restaurant, 1, Jalan Kamunting, Medan Tuanku (near Quill City Mall and Wilayah Kompleks). 7:30AM-3PM. A true KL establishment, this Chinese coffeeshop is famous for its Hainanese-style chicken chop and roti babi, pork sandwich. It has relocated to a larger building behind its former site. 
• 4 Plaza City One Food Court, Level 2, Jalan Bunus 6, City Centre. Daily 9AM to about 5PM. Check out the food court on Level 2 of Plaza City One for its Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisine. Recommended: Hanif Mughal Food (stall 5), Nasi Arab (stall 3) and Punjabi Vegetarian Food (stall 8). RM 10 - 20. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Kudu bin Abdul Nasi Kandar, 335, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Medan Tuanku. M-Th 7:30AM-8:30PM, F 7:30AM-12:45PM and 2-8:30PM. Famous Nasi Kandar restaurant near the junction with Jalan Sultan Ismail. The late Malaysian artist P. Ramlee was reportedly a fan - his former film studio was located across the street. Walking distance from Sultan Ismail metro station, opposite Tune Hotel and near Maju Junction. (updated May 2019)

Mid-range

• 6 Coliseum Cafe and Bar, 98 Jln. Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ☏ +603-2692 6270. Daily 10AM-10PM. A KL legend, this colonial-style hangout hasn't changed its appearance or staff in over 90 years. In the late 2010s, this restaurant has expanded to Mid Valley, Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya. Service is surly and the tablecloths could use a good wash, but their Western food, particularly the "sizzling" steaks on a hot plate (from RM35), is still one of the best deals in town. Also try a freshly mixed shandy (beer and lemonade, RM8) in the adjacent smoky bar. (updated Dec 2019)

Drink

Nightlife in this district is either of the partying variety at Heritage Row, as Jalan Doraisamy is now popularly known as, or the "hanging out at the Mamak stall" kind. As for the latter, Mamak stalls (stalls or food shops run by Indian Muslims) can be found everywhere but the most popular is actually just next to Heritage Row, nearer the intersection between Jalan Doraisamy and Jalan Dang Wangi.

Sleep

Tuanku Abdul Rahman/Chow Kit area is now The place to find budget accommodations offering very competitive prices as many have been built here to avoid the congested Chinatown 1km south.

Budget

• 1 Lotus Hotel, 45, Jalan Melayu. Budget hotel just behind the Masjid Jamek metro station, at the entrance of the Masjid India bazaar. (updated Jan 2021)
• City Park Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 46, Lorong Haji Hussein Satu (off Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz). It has 128 rooms, some smoking, some non-smoking. Rates from RM110 for standard room. 
• Hotel Putra Muda, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz. Rates from RM80 for double occupancy. Just 1 min walk from Monorail stn.
• Hotel Sahara, just opposite Monorail - Chow Kit stn. Room rates start from RM80.
• 2 Swiss Hotel, 12 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ☏ +60 3 2692 5555. Not affiliated with Swissôtel, so do not expect the same level of service. Just across the LRT tracks from Dataran Merdeka. Swiss Hotel offers deluxe, superior and family rooms with cable TV, private toilet and bath. Its facilities and services include luggage storage, currency exchange, 24-hour front desk and fax/photocopying. From RM90. (updated Jan 2021)
• 3 Palace Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 40a, Jalan Masjid India. (updated Jan 2021)

Mid-range

• 4 Citin Hotel Masjid Jamek, Lot No. 7, Seksyen 33, Jl Melayu, Off Jalan Masjid India (corner of Jalan Melayu/Jalan Masjid India), ☏ +60 3 2693 2999, fax: +60 3 2693 2988, enquiry@citinmj.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Opened 2009 smack dab in the middle of the Masjid India bazaar, offers small but surprisingly slick, quiet and sparkling clean rooms. Aircon, ensuite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Great little cafe serving local and your usual selection of western/international dishes. From RM115 depending on time of year. 
• City Villa Hotel, Jalan Haji Hussein, off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 3-star hotel in Chow Kit. Close to the nightly food market. Rooms from RM110.

• 5 Kuala Lumpur International Hotel, Lorong Haji Hussein 2, off Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, ☏ +60 3-26978833. Spacious accommodation, all equipped with air condition, cable television, phone with voicemail system. Facilities and services are function rooms, business centre and Wi-Fi Internet access. 
• 6 Leo Palace Hotel, 18 Jalan Rahmat off Jalan Ipoh 50350 KL, ☏ +60 3 -4043 5555. Slightly above average budget hotel, 5 min walk to Titiwangsa metro/monorail. Rooftop pool. Rooms from RM123. 
• 7 Summit Hotel KL City Centre (formerly Quality Hotel), Jalan Raja Laut (Walking distance from Bandaraya metro station and Sogo mall), ☏ +60 3-26148000. 
• 8 Wira Hotel, 123 Jalan Thamboosamy, ☏ +60 3-40423333. Rates from RM110 for a standard room. 
• 9 Ormond The Chow Kit (Tune Hotel), 1012, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit (Pedestrian bridge to Sultan Ismail metro station). Previously the Tune Hotel, until it was refurbished as the Ormond Chow Kit. (updated Jan 2021)
• 10 Hotel Club Dolphin. (updated Jan 2021)

Splurge

• 11 Sheraton Imperial, Jalan Sultan Ismail (Beside Asian Heritage Row), ☏ +60 3 2717 9900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Opposite the Quill City Mall. Rooms have plasma TV, butler service, walk in closet. Previously a Luxury collection hotel, and the rooms reflect this- nice marble baths with separate shower, great health club. Restaurants ranging from western to eastern. The hotel also provides shuttle service to KLCC and KL Sentral. May be slightly off the tourist belt but the monorail station is just outside the hotel.  
• 12 Silka Maytower, 7, Jalan Munshi Abdullah (Right next door to Plaza City One.). Consists of hotel suites and serviced apartments. Facilities provided: gym, pool, car park. La Maison restaurant located at the lobby. 
• 13 Twin Tower View, Bistari Condominium (Close to PWTC (Putra World Trade Centre)). Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 2-bedroom apartment in a condominium opposite PWTC train station. View across KL city centre. A/C, ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, swimming pool. US$110 per night. 
• 14 Stripes Hotel, 25, Jalan Kamunting, ☏ +603-20380000. Near Quill City Mall and Medan Tuanku Monorail station. From RM 300. (updated May 2019)

Stay safe

Chow Kit used to have a bad reputation among locals. In the 1980s, prostitution used to plague the area; however, one can hardly see this anymore except for some ladyboys offering themselves on the streets. Chow Kit is no longer the dangerous place it used to be & now set to be the next commercial and shopping area of Kuala Lumpur.

The Dang Wangi police station is located at the intersection of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Dang Wangi, and is next to Plaza City One.

Go next

• South: Masjid Jamek, Petaling Street and Pasar Seni
• East: Kuala Lumpur/Golden Triangle
• North: Batu Caves

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman